Reviewed by GPhC Pharmacist at Priory Pharmacy Clinical Team, York
Quick answer: Pharmacy First in York allows you to get advice and treatment from a community pharmacist for seven common conditions without needing a GP appointment. These include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in eligible women. Five additional conditions are planned to be added to the service, expanding the range of health concerns pharmacists may be able to treat. If you’re experiencing symptoms, your local pharmacy can assess your needs, recommend suitable treatment and advise whether you need further medical care.
Waiting for a GP appointment when you feel unwell is frustrating. Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, pharmacists at The Priory Pharmacy in Acomb can assess and treat 7 common conditions, and supply prescription medicines such as antibiotics or antivirals where needed. From autumn 2026, the service is also expanding to 5 new conditions at participating pharmacies.
Here’s everything you need to know about using Pharmacy First in York.
The 7 conditions we can treat now
| Condition | Who can be treated | Common signs |
| Sinusitis | Ages 12 and over | Pain around the cheeks, eyes or forehead, blocked nose |
| Sore throat | Ages 5 and over | Painful swallowing, swollen tonsils, high temperature |
| Earache (middle ear infection) | Children aged 1 to 17 | Ear pain, high temperature, pulling at the ear |
| Infected insect bites | Ages 1 and over | Redness, heat, swelling and pain that spreads |
| Impetigo | Ages 1 and over | Red sores that burst and form golden-brown crusts |
| Shingles | Ages 18 and over | Painful rash, usually on one side of the body |
| Urinary tract infection | Women aged 16 to 64 | Stinging when peeing, needing to go often |
How Pharmacy First works
- Walk in or get referred. You can walk into The Priory Pharmacy, or be referred by your GP practice, NHS 111 or an urgent treatment centre.
- Private consultation. A pharmacist talks to you in our consultation room about your symptoms and medical history, and may examine you.
- Treatment or advice. You’ll get self-care advice, an over-the-counter product, or NHS prescription medicine if you need it.
- Referral if needed. If your symptoms need a GP or another service, we’ll make sure you know where to go.
- Records updated. We’ll let your GP practice know about your consultation.
The consultation is free. If you’re given prescription medicine, the usual NHS prescription charge applies unless you’re exempt.
Why choose Pharmacy First?
Pharmacists are highly trained in medicines and minor illnesses. Using Pharmacy First can mean faster treatment, often on the same day, and it frees up GP appointments for people with more complex needs. Being based at Priory Medical Centre also makes it easy to see us before or after other appointments.
The 5 new conditions coming to Pharmacy First
From autumn 2026, Pharmacy First is expanding to cover:
- migraine in adults who get occasional attacks
- hay fever (allergic rhinitis) in children
- outer ear infections in adults
- mild to moderate acne
- scabies and mild skin infections
These new pathways need a pharmacist independent prescriber, a pharmacist with extra training to prescribe medicines. They’re being rolled out in phases, so not every pharmacy offers them yet. Call us on 01904 404101 to check what’s currently available at The Priory Pharmacy.
Which service should I use?
| Situation | Best place to go |
| Minor illness, such as a cold, hay fever or an upset stomach | Pharmacy |
| One of the 7 Pharmacy First conditions | Pharmacy |
| Long-term conditions, ongoing symptoms or a medicine review | GP practice |
| Urgent help when you’re not sure where to go | NHS 111, online or by phone |
| Minor injury, such as a sprain or small burn | Urgent treatment centre |
| Life-threatening emergency | 999 or A&E |
Bring this to your consultation
To help the pharmacist assess you quickly, bring:
- a list of the medicines you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements
- details of any allergies, especially to antibiotics
- your prescription exemption certificate, if you have one
- your child, if the consultation is for them
When Pharmacy First isn’t right for you
Speak to our Pharmacist if your symptoms are severe, keep coming back, don’t fit the service, or suggest something more serious. For example, Pharmacy First doesn’t cover UTIs in men or in pregnancy, or recurrent infections. That’s not a dead end. It means you’ll get the right care.
Call 999 if someone has chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, or is unresponsive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows eligible patients to receive advice and treatment for certain common conditions directly from a community pharmacy, without needing to see a GP first. A pharmacist can assess your symptoms, recommend suitable treatment and refer you to another healthcare professional if necessary.
The NHS Pharmacy First service currently covers seven conditions: sinusitis, sore throat, acute otitis media (earache), infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in eligible women. Your pharmacist will assess your symptoms and check whether you meet the criteria for treatment.
No. You can contact a participating community pharmacy directly for a Pharmacy First consultation without booking a GP appointment first. The pharmacist will ask about your symptoms and medical history to decide what care is appropriate. If your condition needs further assessment, they can advise you to contact your GP or another healthcare service.
The seven existing conditions are covered by the current NHS Pharmacy First service. Any additional conditions will depend on official NHS policy and implementation arrangements. Check with your local pharmacy for the latest information about planned expansions and when any new services become available.
NHS Pharmacy First consultations are free for eligible patients. If medication is supplied, prescription charges may apply depending on the treatment and your eligibility for an exemption. Your pharmacist can explain whether a charge applies to any medicine provided.
You can contact a participating pharmacy in York directly to ask about a Pharmacy First consultation. Some pharmacies may accept walk-ins, while others may recommend arranging a consultation. It is worth contacting your local pharmacy first to check availability and whether the service is suitable for your symptoms.